ABOUT

Commercial Law League of America

Find A CLLA Attorney

Find A CLLA Certified Agency

Find A CLLA Agency

Find A CLLA Professional

ABOUT

Commercial Law League of America

Find A CLLA Attorney

Find A CLLA Certified Agency

Find A CLLA Agency

Find A CLLA Professional

Since 1895, the Commercial Law League of America (“CLLA”) has operated as a not-for-profit association of creditors’ rights attorneys, bankruptcy attorneys, commercial collection agencies, and legal network personnel. The CLLA has earned a reputation as a leader in providing networking, legal, educational, and professional services to the business and credit communities.

Our attorney members concentrate in collections, bankruptcy, insolvency, construction law, and complex commercial litigation. Members also include law students, law clerks and judges, as well as collection agency and legal network professionals.

CLLA provides an online membership directory, Find A CLLA Professional, that provides a direct link and location to commercial lawyers, commercial collection agencies, legal networks, and paralegals.

CLLA is dedicated to providing networking opportunities, education, and results to Attorneys, Credit and Collection Professionals, and Alliance Partners.

Mission & History
Annual Awards
Champion Sponsors

The CLLA Champion Sponsors are businesses that offer a variety of products and services to the commercial credit industry. Champion Sponsorship at any level provides an opportunity to showcase your business while you save money. If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact Dawn Federico at dawn.federico@clla.org
or call 312-240-1400. 

READ MORE

Past Presidents
Board of Governors
Staff

CLLA National Committees

The CLLA Maintains Six Standing National Committees.

Certification – The Certification Committee administers the Commercial Collection Agency Program and objectively reviews the findings of the outside auditor.

Education – The Education Committee’s mandate is to identify topics and procure speakers for the National convention. This Committee also approves all Education programs for regional events.

Finance – The Finance Committee prepares the budget, oversees finances, and provides recommendations to the Board of Governors.

Government Affairs – The Government Affairs Committee takes charge of lobbying efforts, policy recommendations, and amicus briefs.

Meetings – The Meetings Committee’s mandate is to coordinate with the Executive Vice President regarding site selection recommendations to the Board of Governors, to coordinate with the Executive Vice President ensure that meetings programming is scheduled properly and networking events are valuable, and to review materials and brochures for meetings.

Membership Development – The Membership Development Committee is responsible for developing and implementing membership benefit programs to increase and retain members. The committee will (1) assist the League staff in identifying avenues to cultivate new members, create membership benefits statements for CLLA and each practice section; (2) seek new opportunities in industry groups and other trade organizations that will provide benefits to the League along with expanding membership (3) work with League staff to develop a marketing plan by using social media and other campaigns to expand the footprint of the League worldwide; and (4) strive to ensure that every member sees a valuable proposition in the League through professional development, connections, camaraderie, prestige, business development and enjoyment.

Use the toggles below to view the committee members:

Certification

Richard Payne, Chair
Payne Law
Toronto, ON, Canada
rpayne@rpaynelaw.com

Jessica Hartman, Non-voting Member
International Association of Commercial Collectors
Eagan, MN
Hartmann@acainternational.org

Dawn Federico, Staff
CLLA
Rolling Meadows, IL
dawn.federico@clla.org

Phil Lattanzio, Staff
CLLA
Rolling Meadows, IL
phil.lattanzio@clla.org

John Tauer, Outside Accountant
CliftonLarsonAllen
Minneapolis, MN
john.tauer@claconnect.com

 

Education

Ben Farrow, Chair/Southern Region Rep
Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC
Montgomery, AL
bfarrow@awf.law

Valerie Ingold, Agency Section Rep
Commercial Collection Corp. of NY, Inc.
Tonawanda, NY
vingold@commercialcollection.com

Michael Sonnhalter, ALLP
General Bar
Cleveland, OH
mike@generalbar.com

Judith Fitzgerald, Bankruptcy Section Rep
Tucker Arensberg, P.C.
Pittsburgh, PA
Judge_Judith_Fitzgerald@yahoo.com

Beverly Weiss Manne, Bankruptcy Section Rep
Tucker Arensberg, P.C.
Pittsburgh, PA
bmanne@tuckerlaw.com

Randall Woolley, Bankruptcy Section Rep
Darcy & Devassy, P.C.
Chicago, IL
rwoolley@darcydevassy.com

Brad Council, CRS Rep
Slovin & Associates Co., LPA
Cincinnati, OH
bcouncil@sclpa.com

Mike Hynum, Eastern Region Rep
Hynum Law
Harrisburg, PA
mhynum@hynumpc.com

John Pucin, Midwest Region Rep
Caine & Weiner Co., Inc.
Schaumburg, IL
john.pucin@caine-weiner.com

Natalia Minassian, Western Region Rep
Hatkoff & Minassian, ALC
Tarzana, CA
nminassian@hatkofflaw.com

Jonathan Herron, Young Members’ Section Rep
Sklar Law, LLC
Cherry Hill, NJ
jon@sklarlaw.com

David Lippman, Member
Lippman Recupero
Tucson, AZ
david.lippman@lippmanrecupero.com

Travis Davison, Member
Davison Law Firm
Memphis, TN
edgar@davisonlawfirm.net

Stuart Collins, Member
Collis, Griffor & Hendra, P.C.
Ypsilanti, MI
scollis@collisandgriffor.com

Maribeth Thomas, Member
Tucker Arensberg, P.C.
Pittsburgh, PA
mthomas@tuckerlaw.com

Wanda Borges, Esq. Member at Large
Borges & Associates, LLC
Syosset, NY
wborges@borgeslawllc.com

Finance

Timothy Wan, Member/Chair
Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh, P.C.
Smithtown, NY
twan@smithcarroad.com

David R. Gamache, Treasurer
Gamache & Meyers, P.C.
St. Louis, MO
davidgamache@gmcollects.com

Mark J. Sheriff, Immediate Past Treasurer
Thomas & Thomas, Attorneys at Law, LLC
Columbus, OH
mark.sheriff@tt-law.com

William Thrush, President
Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A.
Owings Mills, MD
wthrush@fftlaw.com

Theodore Hamilton, President Elect
Wetherington Hamilton, P.A.
Tampa, FL
tjh@whhlaw.com

Murray S. Lubitz, Member
Murray Lubitz Law Firm
White Plains, NY
ztibul@aol.com

Gary M. Weiner, Member
Weiner Law Firm, PC
Springfield, MA
gweiner@weinerlegal.com

Robert “Bobby” Bernstein, Member
Bernstein & Bernstein, PA
North Charleston, SC
rbernstein@bernsteinpa.com

Government Affairs

Daniel C. Kerrick, Chair/CRS Amicus
Hogan McDaniel
Wilmington, DE
dckerrick@dkhogan.com

Lori Frank, CRS Rep: Legislative   
Markoff Law PLLC
Southfield, MI
lori@markofflaw.com

Gilbert M. Singer, CRS Rep: Legislative
Marcadis Singer P.A.
Tampa, FL
gsinger@marcadissinger.com

Adam Streltzer, Bankruptcy Rep: Amicus Chair
Adam L. Streltzer, Attorney at Law
Los Angeles, CA
adam@streltzer.com

Jonathan Kramer, Bankruptcy Rep: Amicus 
Whitfield & Eddy, PLC
Des Moines, IA
kramer@whitfieldlaw.com

David Leigh, Bankruptcy Rep: Legislative
Ray Quinney & Nebeker P.C.
Salt Lake City, UT
dleigh@rqn.com

Ian McCarthy, New Members’ Section Rep
Barnett & Garcia, PLLC
Austin, TX
ian@barnettgarcia.com

Bill Mann, Agency Section Rep
Joseph, Mann & Creed
Twinsburg, OH
bill.mann@jmcbiz.com

Don B. Scott, ALLP
Wright Holmes Law List
Katonah, NY
dscott@collectioncenter.com

Peter Califano, Advisor
Neisar & Vestal LLP
San Francisco, CA
pcalifano@nvlawllp.com

Ronakd Peterson, Advisor
Jenner & Block, LLP
Chicsago, IL
rpeterson@jenner.com

Jeffrey Schatzman, Advisor
Schatzman & Schatzman, PA
Miami, FL
jschatzman@schatzmanlaw.com

Meetings

Brad A. Council, Chair
Slovin & Associates Co., LPA
Cincinnati, OH
bcouncil@sclpa.com

Walter J. Lockhart, Agency Section Rep
STA International
Melville, NY
wlockhart@stacollect.com

Nancy B. Hamilton, ALLP
American Lawyers Quarterly
Cleveland, OH
nancy@alqlist.com

Deborah Rubin, Bankruptcy Section Rep
Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP
Southfield, MI
drubin@taftlaw.com

Jay Welford, Bankruptcy Section Rep
Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP
Southfield, MI
jwelford@taftlaw.com

Elliot Portman, CRS Rep
Portman Law Group, P.C.
Hauppauge, NY
e.portman@PLG-NY.com

Timothy Wan, Eastern Region Rep
Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh, P.C.
Smithtown, NY
twan@smithcarroad.com

Robert Lurie, Midwest Region Rep
Reisenfeld & Associates LPA LLC
Cleveland, OH
robert.lurie@rslegal.com

T. Britt Rudman, Western Region Rep
Law Offices of T. Britt Rudman
Beverly Hills, CA
tbrudman@beverlyhillslegal.com

Patrick James Kilburn, Young Members’/Southern Region Rep
Lloyd & McDaniel, PLC
Louisville, KY
pkilburn@lloydmc.com

David Lippman, Member
Lippman Recupero
Tucson, AZ
david.lippman@lippmanrecupero.com

Richard Crowson, Member
Isenberg & Hewitt, PC
Sandy Springs, GA
rick@isenberg-hewitt.com

Robert Pohl, Member
POHL, PA
Greenville, SC
robert@pohlpa.com

 

Membership Development

Victor Garcia, Chair/CRS
Garcia Legal, PA
Miami Lakes, FL
victor@garcialegalpa.com

Brandon James, Agency Section Rep
Tucker, Albin & Associates, Inc.
Richardson, TX
b.james@tuckeralbin.com

Owen Glen Hare, Bankruptcy/YMS Section Rep
Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A.
Owings Mills, MD
ohare@fftlaw.com

Jonathan Allen, Eastern Region Rep
Allen Law, PC
Springfield, MA
jon@AllenLawMA.com

Christopher G. Nixon, Law List Publisher Rep
American Lawyers Quarterly
Cleveland, OH
nixon@alqlist.com

Amy L. Pona, Midwest Region Rep
Gurstel Law Firm, P.C.
Golden Valley, MN
a.pona@gurstel.com

Crystal Cole, Southern Region Rep
Crystal R. Cole, Attorney at Law
Nashville, TN
crc@crystalcolelaw.com

Robert Tyler, Western Region Rep
Law Offices of Gary A. Bemis
Riverside, CA
rtyler@BemisLawOffices.com

Wanda Borges, Esq., Member
Borges & Associates, LLC
Syosset, NY
wborges@borgeslawllc.com

Jennifer Dlugolecki, Member
Firefly Legal
Mokena, IL
jennifer.dlugolecki@firefly.pro

Beverly Weiss Manne, Member
Tucker Arensberg, PC
Pittsburgh, PA
bmanne@tuckerlaw.com

Robert “Bobby” Bernstein, Member
Bernstein & Bernstein, PA
North Charleston, SC
rbernstein@bernsteinpa.com

John Parker, Member
Parker Law Firm, PLC
Phoenix, AZ
jparker@ptlaw.net

Julie Gelderblom, Member
New Orleans, LA
julie-a-g@proton.me

Michelle Gilbert, Member
Gilbert Garcia Group, P.A.
Tamap, FL
mgilbert@gilbertgrouplaw.com

CLLA Mission & History

In 1895, the CLLA was founded by William C. Sprague. The first convention, which was held in Detroit, attracted 400 men and women, including lawyers, credit men, collection agents and list and directory publishers.

The CLLA, founded in 1895, is the nation’s oldest trusted legal network of attorneys, actively engaged in the field of commercial collections and bankruptcy.

The CLLA is not just an association, but a League of professionals continually striving to be the leader in providing legal, educational and professional services to the business and credit communities.

The CLLA connects its members through networking events, professional educational opportunities, legislative advocacy and specialized legal services.

The CLLA membership is comprised of national and international attorneys, from large and small firms, who handle commercial law, bankruptcy, insolvency, retail collections, construction law, fraud, and complex commercial litigation matters. Membership also includes collection agency members, law list publishers, commercial credit professionals, judges from nearly every state, accountants, trustees, turnaround managers and other credit and finance experts, and vendors.

The CLLA has long been associated with the representation of creditor interests and is known for seeking fair, equitable, and efficient administration of collection and bankruptcy cases for all parties-in-interest.

The CLLA is also a founding sponsor of the American Board of Certification (ABC), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the public and improving the quality of the bankruptcy and creditor’s rights law bars. The ABC has certified nearly 3,000 attorneys in consumer and business bankruptcy and creditors rights law nationwide.

Mission Statement

CLLA advances commercial, bankruptcy, and business law through education, advocacy, and networking.

Vision Statement

To be the leading commercial law organization in a rapidly changing global economy.

Value Proposition

To collaborate with other professionals in your field, enhance your knowledge and skills, promote your services within our trusted legal network, and help shape the future of commercial law.

Mission Statement

CLLA advances commercial, bankruptcy, and business law through education, advocacy, and networking.

Vision Statement

To be the leading commercial law organization in a rapidly changing global economy.

Value Proposition

To collaborate with other professionals in your field, enhance your knowledge and skills, promote your services within our trusted legal network, and help shape the future of commercial law.

Core Values

  • Excellence: We achieve excellence through education, certification, and earning distinction among peers.
  • Professionalism: We value advocacy, networking, and collaboration by fostering trust, respect, and professional development.
  • Integrity: We prioritize honesty and transparency, ensuring the highest level of ethical conduct and accountability within our membership.
  • Community: We thrive on friendship, collegiality, and networking, fostering collaboration and a deep sense of social responsibility.

Core Values

  • Excellence: We achieve excellence through education, certification, and earning distinction among peers.
  • Professionalism: We value advocacy, networking, and collaboration by fostering trust, respect, and professional development.
  • Integrity: We prioritize honesty and transparency, ensuring the highest level of ethical conduct and accountability within our membership.
  • Community: We thrive on friendship, collegiality, and networking, fostering collaboration and a deep sense of social responsibility.

Annual Awards

The CLLA President’s Cup

The President’s Cup was first presented to the CLLA in 1964 by the American Lawyers Quarterly and is awarded at our Annual Meeting.

The standards for selection of the President’s Cup recipient includes a CLLA member who has:

  • Rendered outstanding service for the benefit of the CLLA;
  • By his or her example of excellence as well as professional and personal conduct elevated the image and stature of the CLLA among his or her professional colleagues and the public; and
  • Made a substantial contribution to the improvement of the standards and practice of commercial law and the CLLA.
RECIPIENTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S CUP

2017    Alan Nahmias
2016    Greg Cohen
2015    Warren Pinchuck
2014    James W. Adelman
2013    Jay L. Welford
2012    Brenda Majewski
2011    Leonard Krulewich
2010    John “Jack” M. Birk
2009    Arlene Cohen Miller
2008    Manuel H. Newburger
2007    Donald B. Kramer
2006    Emil Hartleb
2005    N/A
2004    Gary S. Lewis
2003    Robert E. Caine
2002    Jon Becker
2001    Harry W. Greenfield
2000    Charles M. Thorne
1999     Robert A. Schatzman
1998     I. William Cohen
1997     Jeanette Zolkewitz
1996     George A. Rubin
1995     Richard A. Sugermann
1994     Andrew M. Dipietro, Jr.
1993     Thomas Zide
1992     Leonard O. Abrams
1991     Philip J. Hendel
1990     Edwin Elson
1989     Don Baker
1988     R. William Steltemeier
1987     Kenneth F. Kahn
1986     Donald E. Stamm
1985     Hon. Saul Seidman
1984     Dolphe Marcus
1983     Leo E. Smith
1982     Frank L. Uhlman
1981     Robert I. Morris
1980     Norman E. Reynolds, Jr.
1979     Edward A. Kane
1978     Louis W. Levit
1977     Irvine Ungerman
1976     Sidney Feinberg
1975     Stanly Tulchin
1974     David L. May
1973     George H. Bloom
1972     B. Bernard Wolson
1971     Louis H. Lewis
1970     Judge A. A. Nathan
1969     Florence Dodge
1968     Leon S. Forman
1967     Harry Leviton
1966     Gibson B. Witherspoon
1965     Carl W. Williams
1964     Herbert U. Feibelman

The Robert E. Caine Leadership Award

This award is recognizes a League member who exhibits the outstanding leadership characteristics reminiscent of Bob Caine of Van Nuys, California, who passed away in 2006. It is presented to individuals who have:

  • Demonstrated and encouraged leadership among others within the CLLA;
  • Mentored others both within the CLLA and within their business segment;
  • Fostered goodwill, fraternity and confidence within the CLLA; and
  • Served their community and business segment in meaningful ways through personal efforts and dedication and/or charitable contribution.
RECIPIENTS OF THE CAINE AWARD

2019 Beau Hays
2018 Joseph Marino
2017 Leonard Abrams
2016 Paul Mendelson
2015 David Gamache
2014 Robert Tharnish
2013 Murray Lubitz
2012 Martin & Georgean Goldman
2011 Mark Sheriff
2010    Wanda Borges
2009    Nancy Hamilton
2008 Robert P. Ingold
2007 Charles R. “Rick” Johanson

The CLLA Lawrence P. King Award

Each year, the Executive Council of the Commercial Law League’s Bankruptcy Section presents the Lawrence P. King Award to recognize a lawyer, judge, teacher or legislator who exemplifies the best in scholarship, advocacy, judicial administration or legislative activities in the field of bankruptcy. The award is designed to recognize the lifetime achievements of Professor King, which include contributing to the practice of bankruptcy law through teaching, by working to elevate the profession and through bankruptcy-related legislative activities.

RECIPIENTS OF THE KING AWARD

2002 Senator Elizabeth Warren
2003 The Honorable Joe Lee
2004 Professor David Epstein
2005 The Honorable A. Thomas Small
2006 George Treister
2007 The Honorable Alexander Paskay
2008 The Honorable Robert Ginsberg
2009 The Honorable Eugene Wedoff
2010 The Honorable Burton R. Lifland
2011 The Honorable Judith K. Fitzgerald
2012 Justice John Paul Stevens
2013 The Honorable A. Jay Cristol
2014 Ronald Peterson
2015 The Honorable Steven Rhodes
2016 The Honorable Dennis Montali
2017 Professor Nancy B. Rapoport
2018 Professor Jay L. Westbrook
2019 G. Eric Brunstad, Jr.
2021 Honorable Laura Taylor Swain
2022 Bruce A. Markell
2023 The Honorable Thomas L. Ambro
2024    Professor Ralph Brubaker

 

Board of Governors

President

(One-Year Term)

Theodore J. Hamilton
Wetherington Hamilton, P.A.
812 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,
Suite 101

Tampa, Florida 33603, USA
Phone: 813-225-1918, Ext. 114
E-mail: tjh@whhlaw.com

 

President-Elect

(One-Year Term)

Richard J. Payne
Payne Law
1767 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4C 1J1
CANADA
Phone: 416-257-5011
E-mail: rpayne@rpaynelaw.com

Immediate Past-President

(One-Year Term)

William H. Thrush
Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A.
10461 Mill Run Circle, Suite 550
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117, USA
Phone: 410-559-9000, Ext. 252
E-mail: wthrush@fftlaw.com

Treasurer

(Three-Year Term)

Timothy Wan
Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh, P.C.
202 East Main Street
Smithtown, New York 11787, USA
Phone: 631-499-5400 x109
Email: twan@smithcarroad.com

Recording Secretary

(One-Year Term)

David R. Gamache
Kramer & Frank, P.C
11960 Westline Industrial Dr., #180
St Louis, MO 63146
Phone: 314-835-6650
Email:
David.Gamache@lawusa.com

Attorney Board Member

(2023-2026)

Candice L. Kline
Saul Ewing LLP
161 North Clark Street, Suite 4200
Chicago, Illinois 60601, USA
Phone: 312-876-7104
E-mail: candice.kline@saul.com

Attorney Board Member

(2022-2025)

Ben H. Farrow
Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC
7515 Halcyon Pointe Dr
Montgomery, Alabama 36117, USA
Phone: 334-272-9880
E-mail: bfarrow@awf.law

 

Attorney Board Member

(2024-2027)

Jack Rose
Jack Rose Law |Law Offices
of Jack J. Rose PLLC
P O Box 366
Bronxville, New York 10708, USA
Phone: 212-655-3066
E-mail: jrose@jrlpllc.com

Law List Publisher
Representative

(2023-2026)

Don B. Scott
Wright Holmes Law List
23 The Parkway, 3rd Floor
Katonah, New York 10536, USA
Phone: 914-241-3297
E-mail: dscott@collectioncenter.com

Agency Section
Representative

(2022-2025)

Tim Grimes
BARR Credit Services, Inc.
3444 N. Country Club Road, Suite 200
Tucson, Arizona 85716, USA
Phone: 520-274-2672
E-mail: tgrimes@barrcredit.com

Bankruptcy Section
Representative

(2024-2026)

Zack Shelomith
Leiderman Shelomith + Somodevilla, PLLC
2699 Stirling Road, Suite C401
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312, USA
Phone: 954-210-8957
Email: zbs@lss.law

Young Member’s Section
Representative 

(2023-2025)

Victor R. Garcia
Garcia Legal, PA
14750 Northwest 77th Court, Suite 303
Miami Lakes, Florida, 33016, USA
Phone: 305-826-3345
E-mail: victor@garcialegalpa.com

Creditors’ Rights Section
Representative

(2023-2025)

Robert Ash
Radius Global Solutions,
AMS Commercial Business Division
17-17 State Rt 208, Suite 340
Fair Lawn, New Jersey, 07410
Phone: 201-871-0044
E-mail:
Robert.Ash@radiusgs.com

Executive Vice-President

Phil Lattanzio
Commercial Law League of America
3005 Tollview Dr.
Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008, USA
Phone: 312-240-1400
Fax: 847-584-3939
Email: phil.lattanzio@clla.org

Staff

Phil Lattanzio – Executive Vice President

Phil.Lattanzio@clla.org
312-240-1400

CLLA Staff Listing & Contact Information

Commercial Law League of America
3005 Tollview Drive
Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008

Primary Contact Info: info@clla.org
Phone: 312-240-1400

Director
Dawn Federico
Dawn.federico@clla.org
312-240-1400

Member Relations Manager
Mary McCann
Mary.mccann@clla.org

Membership Consultant
Forest Troutner
Forest.troutner@clla.org

Marketing & Communications
Linda Herbst
Linda.herbst@clla.org

Chief Communications Officer
Lillian Novak
Lillian.novak@clla.org

Become A Member

Membership provides an opportunity to connect with professionals in your field and promote your services to other industry members.

Being engaged, involved, active, and present makes all the difference. Network and make new business contacts. Keep your CLE requirements up-to-date and find out about pending legislation that could affect your daily work, before it goes into effect by joining the CLLA.

Register Today!
CLLA Southern Region Conference 2025

February 14-16, 2025 in New Orleans, LA

Save-the-Date!
131st CLLA National Convention

May 14-16, 2025 in Chicago, IL

Save-The-Date!
CLLA Eastern Region Conference 2025

November 5-6, 2025 in New York, NY

Thank You!

Click to see photos from the conference at the Manhattan Penthouse in New York, NY!

Contact Us

2 + 2 =

Contact Info

3005 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008

+312 240 1400

info@clla.org

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